Common Shrub Profiles
Descriptions of commonly used shrubs including scientific and common names, soil, water, and light needs, zone, common varieties, and photos.
Orange Jasmine
Filling the air with a sweet smell like orange blossoms, orange jasmine is a welcome addition to any garden. The white flowers are very attractive to bees, and the fruits are favored by birds.
Filling the air with a sweet smell like orange blossoms, orange jasmine is a welcome addition to any garden. The white flowers are very attractive to bees, and the fruits are favored by birds.
Purple Leaf Sand Cherry - Prunus X Cistena
Purple leaf sand cherry can either be a shrub or a small tree. It is often chosen for its purple foliage.
Purple leaf sand cherry can either be a shrub or a small tree. It is often chosen for its purple foliage.
Pomegranate - Punica Granatum
Pomegranate shrubs are one of the easiest fruits to keep, since they are usually not affected by many pests or diseases. The fruits are full of antioxidants and thought to have many health benefits.
Pomegranate shrubs are one of the easiest fruits to keep, since they are usually not affected by many pests or diseases. The fruits are full of antioxidants and thought to have many health benefits.
Blueberries - Vaccinium spp.
Blueberries are great because they have fewer pests than most of the other fruit trees and shrubs. The key to their success is making sure they are grown in acidic soil. With varieties as small as 6" high, they can be grown in any size garden or planted in containers.
Blueberries are great because they have fewer pests than most of the other fruit trees and shrubs. The key to their success is making sure they are grown in acidic soil. With varieties as small as 6" high, they can be grown in any size garden or planted in containers.
Angel's Trumpet - Brugmansia spp.
The show-stopping hanging trumpet-shaped flowers of angel's trumpet make this a delight for any garden. It is tropical and grows best in gardens in Zone 9-11, but it certainly can be used as a container plant and brought inside when cool. Angel's trumpet can be either a shrub or a small tree.
The show-stopping hanging trumpet-shaped flowers of angel's trumpet make this a delight for any garden. It is tropical and grows best in gardens in Zone 9-11, but it certainly can be used as a container plant and brought inside when cool. Angel's trumpet can be either a shrub or a small tree.
Purple Smoke Bush - Cotinus Coggygria
Purple smoke bush is often used as a garden specimen due to the purple-pink plumes and the purple leaves on some cultivars. It is highly drought tolerant.
Purple smoke bush is often used as a garden specimen due to the purple-pink plumes and the purple leaves on some cultivars. It is highly drought tolerant.
Rose of Sharon - Hibiscus Syriacus
Rose of Sharon will help bring a bit of tropical beauty to more temperate climates. The blooms that arrive later in the summer will help revive your garden after the flurry of spring flowers.
Rose of Sharon will help bring a bit of tropical beauty to more temperate climates. The blooms that arrive later in the summer will help revive your garden after the flurry of spring flowers.
Currant - Ribes Spp.
Currants have long been grown for their use in jams, jellies, syrups and preserves. It is an attractive shrub that is especially suitable for colder climates.
Currants have long been grown for their use in jams, jellies, syrups and preserves. It is an attractive shrub that is especially suitable for colder climates.
Witch Hazel - Hamamelis Virginiana
Most people are familiar with witch hazel because of its use in skin care as an astringent. It is a large shrub that is noteworthy for being one of the last species to flower. Witch hazel also adds winter interest with leaves that turn yellow in the fall, and is moderately drought tolerant.
Most people are familiar with witch hazel because of its use in skin care as an astringent. It is a large shrub that is noteworthy for being one of the last species to flower. Witch hazel also adds winter interest with leaves that turn yellow in the fall, and is moderately drought tolerant.
Bearberry - Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi
Bearberry is a small evergreen shrub often used as a groundcover. It is an excellent choice to provide winter interest with the tiny leaves that turn bronze in the fall, and the small red berries that last until spring. It is also useful for drought and salt-tolerant landscapes.
Bearberry is a small evergreen shrub often used as a groundcover. It is an excellent choice to provide winter interest with the tiny leaves that turn bronze in the fall, and the small red berries that last until spring. It is also useful for drought and salt-tolerant landscapes.
Princess Flower - Tibouchina Urvilleana
A native of Brazil, princess flower (Tibouchina urvilleana) is a glorious addition to tropical and sub-tropical gardens. Its large purple flowers and soft hairy leaves add interest and a burst of color to any landscape. Also can be used as an indoor container plant in cooler regions, if full light and warmth is provided.
A native of Brazil, princess flower (Tibouchina urvilleana) is a glorious addition to tropical and sub-tropical gardens. Its large purple flowers and soft hairy leaves add interest and a burst of color to any landscape. Also can be used as an indoor container plant in cooler regions, if full light and warmth is provided.
Sunset Hyssop - A Natural Hummingbird Attractant
Learn the growing requirements and some design tips for using Agastache rupestris, sunset hyssop, in your garden.
Learn the growing requirements and some design tips for using Agastache rupestris, sunset hyssop, in your garden.
Viburnums
These popular shrubs have so many different species that they can grow in almost any condition. Marie Iannotti shows describes their habits and growing requirements.
These popular shrubs have so many different species that they can grow in almost any condition. Marie Iannotti shows describes their habits and growing requirements.
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Oakleaf hydrangeas are a wonderful addition to any garden. David Beaulieu discusses the growing requirements.
Oakleaf hydrangeas are a wonderful addition to any garden. David Beaulieu discusses the growing requirements.
Burning Bush
This shrub is best known for its brilliant autumn foliage. Learn about the growing requirements from David Beaulieu.
This shrub is best known for its brilliant autumn foliage. Learn about the growing requirements from David Beaulieu.
Examples of Drought Tolerant Shrubs
Looking for shrubs that will do well on less water? Examples are given in this article from USU's Extension Service.
Looking for shrubs that will do well on less water? Examples are given in this article from USU's Extension Service.